TOPEKA – The Kansas Democratic Party’s Chair Joan Wagnon released the following statement today after Kansas’s US Senator Pat Roberts joined 21 other Republican senators and voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

“Today, Sen. Pat Roberts demonstrated just how much Washington DC has warped his priorities when he put his own electoral future before the welfare of domestic violence victims. It is clear that Sen. Roberts is catering to extreme factions of his party who think a victim’s background should determine whether America will or will not protect them from domestic violence.”

VAWA programs save lives, help put abusers behind bars, and stop the cycle of violence. It’s unconscionable and I am deeply saddened that Sen Roberts would put partisan politics before victims’ safety. The Kansas Democratic Party strongly condemns Sen. Roberts’ selfish actions and fear what further damage he may inflict on our state and country trying to win favor with members of his party opposed to equality and fairness.”